Modern electrical and electronic products require modern power options.

Almost all devices plugged into sockets run on solid "brains", which are sensitive to power fluctuations and current frequencies. Due to its sensitive electronic components, true sine wave inverters are especially important today for running computers, smart TVs, refrigerators, and even coffee machines and microwave ovens. Even if your old modified sine wave inverter still outputs 110 voltage, it may kill your flat-screen TV or microwave oven. For this installation, we assume that you already have an inverter, understand your load, and if there is no shore power or generator set, there is enough DC power on board to power the load. But keep in mind that the coffee machine may require 200 watts, the blender requires 1,000 watts, and the microwave oven requires 1,200 watts. You may need to run these devices while the refrigerator is running, so the 3,000 watt Xantrex Freedom SW 3012 true sine wave inverter is a possible choice for cruisers with such needs.

Skill level: 5/5 Completion time: approx. 3 hours

Tools and supplies*Drill bits*Puzzles*Flat screwdrivers*Cross screwdrivers*Adjustable wrenches*Wire cutters*Wire strippers*Long-nosed pliers*Tape

To locate the inverter, first, disconnect the shore power and turn off the on-board generator. Before disconnecting the old inverter, identify and label the alternating current (AC) input and output cables. Install the new inverter as close as possible to the marine battery so that the power cord is short, thereby minimizing resistance and power loss from longer cables. We use only 2 feet of battery cables to install the inverter behind the partition that separates the battery compartment.

Connect the power supply to open the panel of the protection terminal, and use a screwdriver to pry out the perforation of the round wire port. Pass the old wire through the wire clamp and into the box, connect the green ground to the marked terminal, following the same procedure as the white and black wires. Tighten the clamp and replace the cover. Connect the red wire of the battery pack to the red terminal, connect the black to the black, and clamp them all. Do not use washers on the DC connection.

Installing the control panel Install the panel near the circuit breaker panel so that you can monitor the power capacity and turn off the load as needed to save power. When you cut the opening with a jigsaw puzzle, tape the perimeter of the cut in the partition to minimize tearing. Our Xantrex inverter control panels are connected via a simple Ethernet plug-in connector. Next, install the battery temperature sensor to the back of the battery and connect it to the inverter system. These steps are simple but time-consuming.

Reconnect the Shore Power Bolt or screw the inverter firmly to the surface, leaving the outlet to the reset button for future needs. Turn off everything on the AC panel (should be present when the power is disconnected) and reconnect the shore power. "Turn on" the shore power circuit breaker, and then open the circuits you need one by one. Check the inverter control panel to note the presence of battery power and AC power. When you remove the AC power, the inverter will automatically start the power supply.

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